- Published:
- Wednesday 9 September 2015
Minister for Education James Merlino is set to be Principal For A Day at Mooroolbark College and Mooroolbark East Primary School.
Mr Merlino will get a taste of secondary school life, shadowing Mooroolbark College principal Simon Reid and addressing the school assembly, speaking to Year 12 Legal Studies students, meeting staff and touring the school.
Mr Merlino will then head to the nearby Mooroolbark East Primary School, where he will join with Allanah and Madeline Foundation CEO Dr Judith Slocombe, to talk online safety with students as part of National eSmart Safety Week.
As Principal For A Day, Mr Merlino joins more than 150 community leaders from government, business and the philanthropic and not-for-profit sectors who will each work with a Victorian Principal this week.
Principal For A Day gives business and community leaders a first-hand, behind-the-scenes experience of the strengths and challenges facing Victoria’s government schools, and provides school principals with an opportunity to compare management and leadership perspectives.
The Victorian Principal For A Day program is managed by Australian Council for Educational Research and funded by the Department of Education and Training.
The Andrews Labor Government is building Victoria into the Education State, with the 2015-16 Victorian Budget investing almost $4 billion in our education and skills system – representing the single biggest boost to education funding in Victoria’s history. It included $1 million for an upgraded sports hall at Mooroolbark East Primary School.
The Budget provides $325 million to renovate, refurbish or rebuild 67 schools and will fund the first stage of an extensive asbestos removal program, so that families can be assured their children are being educated in safe schools.
It also includes $180 million for programs to help families cover the extra costs of education, like camps, excursions and uniforms, so no child misses out.
A full list of leaders taking part in the scheme and the date on which they will be a Principal for Day is available here: www.acer.edu.au/files/PFAD_Matchlist_2015_forwebsite040915-4-Sheet1.pdf(opens in a new window)
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“Moorolbark East Primary School and Mooroolbark College are great examples of how Victorian schools are supporting our kids to reach their full potential, no matter what their background.”
“It’s great to participate in Principal For A Day and get a first-hand look at how our schools are making a difference in the lives of their students.”
“We’re investing almost $4 billion to make Victoria the Education State, so every community has a great local school and every child gets the chance to succeed.”